Stage Desktop Images

To allow administrators to test and validate changes to an image before deploying to the wider user base, Nerdio Manager provides an Image Staging feature that allows Nerdio Manager to deploy images to a test or "Staging" pool before activation.

Note: This option is available only for desktop images that have been recently refreshed from the Azure Marketplace. This option is usually preferred by highly compliant environments. For more information about refreshing images from the Azure Marketplace refer to Refresh Desktop Images from the Azure Marketplace.

Enable Desktop Image Staging

The following steps allow you to enable staging for a desktop image.

To enable desktop image staging:

Navigate to Desktop Images.
Locate the image you wish to work with.
From the action menu, select Set as image.
Enter the following information:
- Stage new image as inactive: Select this option to create the new image version without setting it as active.
  Notes:
  - Any existing configurations continue using the current version of the image. To make the new version active, see Deploy an Inactive Staged Desktop Image for details.
  - By default, the option Save current image as a backup is not selected. If you select this option, a new image is created, but Nerdio Manager keeps it as inactive with an older version number.
- Activate staged image after: Optionally, select this option to automatically activate the staged image after the specified number of days.
  
  Note: Any pools linked pools have their associated image updated.
- Remove current image version: Optionally, select this option to retain the current image version as a standalone object.
  
  Tip: This image version is not visible or manageable via Nerdio Manager, so be sure to delete it manually when it is no longer needed to avoid unnecessary Azure storage costs.
Once you have entered all the desired information, select Run now.

The "Power off & set as desktop image" task is triggered.

You can view the status of the task in the Desktop Images Tasks section.
Wait for the task to finish. The two images are now in the list.

Edit Desktop Image Staging Auto-activation Settings

The following steps allow you to edit the auto-activation settings of a staged desktop image.

To edit desktop image staging auto-activation:

Navigate to Desktop Images.
Locate the image you wish to work with.
From the action menu, select Configure auto-activation.
Enter the following information:
- Activate staged image after: Optionally, select this option to automatically activate the staged image after the specified number of days.
  
  Note: Any pools linked pools have their associated image updated.
- Remove current image version: Optionally, select this option to retain the current image version as a standalone object.
  
  Tip: This image version is not visible or manageable via Nerdio Manager, so be sure to delete it manually when it is no longer needed to avoid unnecessary Azure storage costs.
Once you have entered all the desired information, select Save & close.

Deploy an Inactive Staged Desktop Image

The following steps allow you deploy an inactive staged desktop image.

To deploy an image that is inactive:

Navigate to Desktop Images.
Select the inactive image you want to deploy.
From the action menu, select Activate staged image.
Select Save current image version as a backup.
Select OK.

The staging image becomes the active version. The older version is saved as backup and is no longer be shown in the list.